BIBLE LESSON 1. Jacob was on a long journey going to his father's home. Jacob had his wives and children with him and he had many cows and donkeys and sheep and camels as well. Jacob's twin brother Esau, had been mad at Jacob when he left home, and now Jacob heard that Esau had 400 men with him and he was coming to meet Jacob. This scared Jacob, for why would Esau bring so many men with him unless he wanted to attack Jacob and his family? Jacob had an idea, perhaps if he sent his brother a gift, Esau wouldn't attack them. What kind of gift do you think Jacob sent to Esau? Gold? Jewels? Candy? No, what Jacob sent was a lot of his sheep and cattle and donkeys and camels. This would be a great gift in those days! The night before Esau got to Jacob's camp, Jacob sent all his family across a small river and he stayed on the other side. He couldn't sleep and when Jacob was worried, he prayed for God's help. We can also pray to God when we get worried or frightened, can't we? BIBLE LESSON 2. As Jacob was praying for help, suddenly someone appeared at his side. Jacob lunged at the person and started wrestling with him! At fust Jacob didn't know this was really an angel of God's and not Esau or some other man. Jacob couldn't overcome the angel and as morning came the angel touched Jacob on his hip and made his leg lame. When Jacob realized this was an angel, he asked for a blessing from God. The angel said, "your name will no longer be Jacob but you are to be called "ISRAEL" from now on, and you will have many children and grandchildren and inherit the land that was promised to your ancestors. " Israel is a special name; fust it was Jacob's name and later it was the name of 12 tribes of people called "the children of Israel" and today your mother or father will see the name of Israel in the newspaper or on TV sometimes, for Israel is a whole big nation of people now. After Jacob had wrestled with the angel he had a limp from then on, but he didn't mind that because he received that great promise from God! From then on Jacob was known as Israel.
Draw a line under the correct picture and draw some little boys and a girl for Jacob's family How did Jacob and his family travel to his father's home What kind of place did Jacob and his family live in while he traveled? f Rachel only had two children, one was a tiny baby named Benjamin and one was an older brother named Joseph. Can you draw baby Benjamin and his brother Joseph? Draw a sling shot or a bow and arrow for Joseph to play with and a ball and a teddy bear for Benjamin.
Circle the things that Jacob gave to Esau for a gift We can pray to God when we are happy, when we are sad and when we are afraid. Draw a happy face in one circle, a sad face in another circle and a face that looks afraid in the last circle. Give them ears and hair, then color each shirt with a different color or design
5. That night while Jacob slept, God spoke to him in a dream. God told Jacob that his family would become a great nation of people and God told him again that his name would be changed to Israel. Then God promised Jacob that he would one day inherit the land that God had promised to his father and his grandfather. Jacob would live forever on this land when Jesus would come to bring God's kingdom. This was a marvelous promise. Jacob stayed by the well in the green valley for awhile and then he and his family traveled on. One day his wife, Rachel had a little tiny baby boy. Jacob named him Benjamin and his big brother Joseph thought he was very special. Jospeh and Benjamin were Rachel's only sons and they were very special to their father, Jacob. After a long journey, Jacob finally reached his father's home and there he and his family settled down to live. Jacob's father was very surprised to see all these grandchildren! How very proud and happy he was to see them and have them live close to him. Question Page 6. 1. Did Jacob have a brother or a sister who was mad at him? 2. Was Jacob's brother named Joe or was he named Esau? 3. Why was Jacob afraid of his brother (a) he was mean? (b) he was coming with 400 men? 4. Who did Jacob wrestle with in the middle of the night? (a) an angel (b) his brother 5. What was the special name the angel gave to Jacob? (a) Mike (b) Israel (c) Emily 6. When Jacob was afraid and needed help, who did he pray to? 7. Can we pray to God when we are afraid or sad and even pray when we are happy? 8. What was the promise God gave to Jacob (a) He would inherit the land forever (b) He would have many jewels (c) He would be very rich 9. What happened when Jacob met Esau? (a) He killed him (b) They hugged each other (c) He ran away 10. Did Jacob go home with Esau or did he go to his father's home? 11. When will Jacob inherit the land forever? (a) today (b) when Jesus comes
3. Do you sometimes get mad at your brother or sister or friend? Does it make you feel good when you're mad? It doesn't makes us feel very good when we are mad, does it? If it isn't any fun to be mad, then why do we do it? It's more fun to remember all the good times you've had with your friend and the times you've laughed and played with your brother and sister, isn't it? Esau had been very mad at Jacob but when Esau saw the presents of camels and goats and sheep and donkeys that Jacob sent him, he began to feel happier. Then he looked up and there was his twin brother Jacob coming to meet him. Jacob bowed in front ofesau to show him how much he honored him and cared for him. He didn't bow just once but he bowed down seven times before he reached Esau. Then do you know what happened? Esau quickly got down off his camel and he ran to Jacob and Jacob ran to meet him, then they hugged each other and even cried a little because they were so happy to see each other and to be friends again. 4. Esau was very surprised to see what a big family Jacob had. daughter and he was very proud of them. Jacob had eleven sons and one That would be a lot of children, wouldn't it? That night Jacob and Esau sat around a campfire and had a good time telling all that had happened since they last saw each other. The next morning Esau asked Jacob to go home with him, but Jacob was anxious to travel on until he reached his father's home, so he and his family traveled on and Esau and the 400 men with him went back to his home. When Jacob came to a green valley with a deep well of water, he stopped there to let the animals rest awhile. Do you know what the first thing Jacob did when he stopped? Did he set up his tents first? Did he lead the animals to water frrst? Did he eat first? No...the first thing Jacob did was to pray to God. Jacob wanted to thank God for keeping Esau from hurting him and his family and he prayed that God would take care of them on the rest of the journey. It's important to say prayers to God, isn't it? God tells us we can pray to Him anytime we feel sad or frightened or even when we feel happy! God likes to hear from us